Dame Harriett Baldwin highlights the important role of the independent Malvern College as one of the largest employers in Worcestershire, and contributing £28 million to the local economy. She also raises concerns at the public cost if its 300-plus fee-paying pupils had to be transferred to local state schools.
Dame Harriett Baldwin (West Worcestershire) (Con)
On the subject of school budgets, will the Minister join me in welcoming the letter that I received from Malvern College in Worcestershire this week? Not only is that independent school one of the largest employers in Worcestershire, but it contributes £28 million to the local economy, and if its 300-plus fee-paying pupils had to be educated in local schools, that would come at a huge cost to the public purse.
The Minister for Schools (Damian Hinds)
My hon. Friend is exactly correct. If the Labour party got into government, there would be a hike in the cost of going to private schools, which would push a number of families out of that provision. We do not know how many, Labour does not know how many and nor does anybody else, but we do know that some—possibly very many—would come into the state-funded system, causing great strain and possibly cuts that would affect other children.